Team Uganda, represented by Buddo Secondary School, kicked off their 2025 African Schools Championship campaign with a spirited 2–1 comeback win over Tunisia under the lights at Stade Hamlaoui in Constantine.
Uganda fell behind just before halftime when Tunisia’s Taboubi Ayhem scored after a scramble in the box, moments after Buddo’s goalkeeper Gideon Jemba had saved a penalty to keep the scores level.
But the second half told a different story, Coach Richard Malinga made four key substitutions, injecting fresh energy into the team:
• Kizito Reagan for Kato Rwahim
• Babi Shakul for Olara Loy
• Musiitwa Akram for Kisambira Abaasa
• Mutagobya Ian for Jemba Gideon
The impact was immediate. In the 53rd minute, captain Barasa Dickson struck a powerful equalizer to level matters.
Just two minutes later, Mukisa Owen calmly finished to complete the turnaround and send the Ugandan crowd into celebration.
Uganda held their ground in the closing stages, fending off Tunisia’s late pressure to seal the win.
“We believed in ourselves even when we were down,” said team Captain Dickson Barasa after the match. “This win means a lot, but we’re not done yet.”
With Group B also featuring Ivory Coast, a positive result against the West Africans on Wednesday, July 31, could see Uganda through to the knockout stages and closer to a medal dream.
